Good Amplifiers to use

[Andrew]

I'm looking for an amp that will amplify my sound at some gigs without altering my sound too much. I've got a pretty decent microphone (Beta 57), and I'm about to get some effects pedals in, but I need an amp to use all of this good stuff! Thanks for your help in advance.

Andrew

[anf0323]

You'll definately want to purchase a keyboard amp because it has a high, mid, and low eq. Right now I have two amps. I use the Peavey KB/A 300 for larger gigs. It gives out awesome sound, but the only thing I don't like is that it is huge! It's about 4 feet tall and weighs almost 70 lbs. but it has 4 channels. It is also quite pricey (about $750). The other amp I use is the Roland KC 100. It's my favorite because it's small and portable, works great for practice and for gigging. It only cost $300, so it's alot more reasonable. Let me know if you have more questions.

[jd]

why carry a keyboard amp?? they make hotspot type monitors that sit on a stand at ear level. (you dont need to carry around an amp unless you think it sounds worth it.) . some are powered, that and a little mixer with effects and your set. 70 pound amp? i dont see a good reason with todays technology to do that. i bought a little 6 channel mackie dfx 6 with really good digital effects at sam ash for like 180.00 wieghs 5 pounds and a 12 pound galaxie self powered monitor that sits on a mic stand. . line out to the main board and your set. sounds great or would even be enough by itself in a small bar or coffee shop for a jazz gig. just my opinion . filmore east is over!(you have to be my age to catch that.....)

[anf0323]

Jd-I'm interested in the 6 channel Mackie dfx 6, b/c it is way smaller. But, I'm confused on how to set it up without a PA or any type of amp. I'm new to this game, and I always just assumed amp + effects + mic was the only way to go. Please tell me a little more about this.

[anf0323]

OK...Nevermind that last comment...I should have read more clearly. Another thing, since I know nothing about sound stuff...where does the monitor plug-in? Does it work more like an amp or does it have to go into a PA? Sorry, I am really sound stupid. :)

[Frank D]

You need to figure out if your goal is to hear yourself onstage, or to have the audience hear you.

[jd]

franks rightdidnt know if you wanted an amp for the audience to hear or for you to hear (frank ,i just listened to your sound clips. very tasty ! good work! ).the audience usually listen to you through the main speakers of a pa. not an amp. . dont feel stupid. took me years to figure out a good setup to hear my self. ill post a pic of my setup sometime over the weekend. im not high tech so its even easy for me to use. not much room for error . its easy to use. mic to mackie. line out of mackie to powered mixer.line out of mackie to the main board. just dial in the sound you like with effects.eq etc. then send that mix to the main board. chances are it will sound better than most hacker sound men or band leaders can do because its the sound you like for your sax.

[SaxyAcoustician]

jd,

Which Galaxy powered speaker do you use? And what kind of stand did you get for it? Thanks.

[Kosma]

I recently bought a JBL EON G2 15" powered speaker. It's hard to beat for power and clean sound. I can use it for a monitor or a main. It can be overkill in some situations and I would have bought a 10" but they cost as much as I paid for the 15". It weighs about 45 pounds which is relatively light for a 400 watt powered speaker. It has 3 inputs with separate volume control for each/2 band EQ. No efx on board. Built in pre-amp.
Really versatile unit and sounds great. No they're not cheap, but it beats the heck out of carrying around a separate power amp and speaker.

[jd]

saxy ,i bought the galaxie pas 140. 12 pounds. it sits on a regular mic stand. there is a clip that sam ash sold me that allows the speaker to just slide onto the stand. works good. i dont even take it off the stand. just carry it into the gig all ready attached. i personally have got to have a little effects on my monitor. (dry signals are ok but its more fun to have a little effect on the monitor) thats why i use the mackie with it.

[anf0323]

Frank and Jd- I need the amp to both hear myself and for the audience. There are a few shows that don't have any type of sound system, so we all have to use amps. So, would I still need the amp?? AHHH!!! So, confused. Sorry it too me so long to post.